Do I need a heavier projectile?

Re3iever

Re3iever

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I currently have Lee casting molds for 405g (459-405-HB) and 500g (459-500-3R) projectiles both of which I have cast, loaded and shot up to 100 yards and been happy with the results.

However this coming summer I plan to try and shoot much longer ranges, out 1000 meters. Some of the reading I have done seems to suggest I will need a heavier projectile for the longer ranges.

I am looking for comments/suggestions about this question and recommendations for heavier projectile molds. Caliber is 45-70.

Thanks, Retreever
 
500 is about as heavy as is suited to the .45-70. I have seen 550grn loads but when you are lobbing them I doubt the difference will be game changing.
 
From what I have read on Cast Boolits it's the length of the bullet more than the weight. And it's the rate of twist that dictates what length the rifle will best stabilize. A 20 twist may do best with a 500gr while a 16 or 18 may prefer the 535 postell. The slow twist old timers probably top out at 500gr like they settled on back in the day.
 
Ballistics coefficient is what matters, not necessarily weight alone. A flat nose bullet won't be suited to long range regardless of weight.
 
boxhitch said:
Read 'Sandy Hook Tests of 1879' , 500 gr was good for hitting a 6'x6' at nearly 2 miles in a bpcr

what are you shooting?
Click to expand...

I have a 1885 Winchester Highwall by Uberti , a 1873 Remington Rolling Block by Pedersoli, a 1874 Sharps by Armsport and an original 1884 Springfield Trapdoor. Primarily Winchester brass and LRM primers with either 70g Goex ffg or 60g Triple7 ffg topped with cardstock wad for T7 and veggie wad for Goex.

Retreever
 
You've got a good start. Could look into different profiles in the 500-550gr range and look into Pope loading for more powder capacity.
Some people feel that a smooth paper patch bullet has an advantage too.
 
This is not from my experience , but my uncle and his friends who shoots long range. The lee 500gr you have the picture of, he uses out to 400yds.
For the 1000yds he has a similar shaped custom mold, but 560gr.
 
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The LEE company makes a very nice 340 grain round nose flat top bullet that is essentially for tube magazine rifles.
Going heavier will increase your felt recoil & long range velocity will suffer. Suggest you go lighter, add more powder & go faster. Hornady’s LeverEvolution factory bullet is a 325 grain jhp & might even be available to reload.
 
The Lyman 457677 Is a Paul Mathews design. It's a tapered boolit with the first band measuring around .445" The next band is around .451" and the last two are .458" allowing one to seat the boolit further out to increase the powder capacity. I'm presently casting some to use in my single shot 45-70's & 45-90 I will post photos later.
 
Here is a photo of what I cast for my 45-70's.

ZIqWDxRl.jpg


From the left is the lightest: RCBS 300 Gr GC Next is the Accurate Molds 330 Gr., the LEE 340 Gr., the LEE 500 Gr. GC, the Lyman 457677 (Mathews) and lastly the Steve Brooks 540 Gr. The last two are considered to be "Long range "bullets.
Missing is the LEE 400 Gr HB. I have the mold but I couldn't find an example of the boolit. I also cast the RCBS 540 Gr Paper patched and an Accurate Mold 400 Gr. Paper patched. Neither have the BC to be considered Long range.
 
There is plenty of bullet for shooting long range..up to 600 grains.
Most favour ‘Postel type’.
Get on Buffalo Arms web site and you will find great bullet mould used for competition.
I use a 525 grains Postel casted out of 1-20 alloy. 1-16 will also work fine.
 
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